Tuesday June 10th, 2014 - One of my favorite choreographers and dance-world personalities, Jennifer Muller, invited me to her studio today where she and her dancers are in rehearsal for their upcoming performances at New York Live Arts. From June 18th thru 21st, Jennifer Muller/The Works will share the NYLA stage with Elisa Monte Dance and Buglisi Dance Theatre. Tickets and more information about these performances at New York Live Arts here.
For the NYLA performances, Jennifer will present her two newest works: "Whew!", a jazzy piece; and her setting of Gregorio Allegri's Miserere, an all-female work featuring Seiko Fujita, Caroline Kehoe, Shiho Tanaka, and young women from The Works' Ensemble.
The heavenly music of the Allegri Miserere has long seemed to me to call out for a danced setting, and it's providential that such an experienced and imaginative choreographer as Ms. Muller has chosen this work. Her vision of the piece is ritualistic yet human, responding to the ecstacy of the music while also delving into elements of supplication and uncertainty of faith. I loved every moment of it and, from Jennifer's description of the costuming and lighting which will dress the piece, I look forward very much to seeing it staged.
Elise King, Caroline Kehoe
Seiko Fujita
Seiko, with the ensemble
The ensemble for the Allegri
"Whew!" is a dancework about how busy we all are these days. The Company members rush to and fro, driven by unknown urgencies. Momentary pauses come along but mostly the dancers are on the go the entire time. It's an exilirating piece to watch though for my limited photographic skills such fast-paced movement is hard to capture.
Shiho Tanaka
Michael Tomlinson, Gen Hashimoto
Seiko and Shiho
Seiko and Shiho
Gen and Seiko